Periyar International:
Periyar International was founded on November 13,1994 in Chicago, Illinois. It was inaugurated by late Hon. Chandrajit Yadav, former Minister of the central government and president of the Social Justice Institute, New Delhi, in the presence of Dr. K.Veeramani, the president of Dravidar Kazagam (D.K.)
Country specific Chapters of Periyar International can be formed in any country according to the rules and regulations of that particular country either as a Trust or an Organization with the consent of the President of the Dravidar Kazagam,Tamilnadu and Dr. S. Illangovan, Chicago, the operational director of the Periyar International.
The tenth “K. Veeramani Award for Social Justice”
Periyar International was established in 1994 in Chicago at function presided over by Late Chandrajit Yadav and attended by Manamigu K.Veeramani. It aims to spread the ideals and ideas of Thanthai Periyar. He spread principles of rationalism, humanism and equality of all, including women. He stressed the need for the eradication of superstitutions.
Periyar International and its patron Dr. K.Veeramani have worked with organisations like International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and Centre for Free Inquiry.
Periyar Maniammai University
This university has introduced a unique non-academic education cum employment scheme. This is specially meant for rural population in India. This scheme is like the community college scheme in the USA.
Teaching and training will be given to the rural youth in such subjects so as to enable them employable in medical, agricultrual, engineering and other related technical fields.
Those who finish a two-year course will be awarded a degree.
About 215 students have been enrolled under this non-academic scheme instituted in Periyar Maniammai University.